ATKINSON, N.H. - Verizon is bringing to Atkinson one of the most significant advancements in telecommunications technology in the past 100 years.

The company today announced it is building a fiber-optic network that will deliver faster data speeds, crystal-clear voice -- and also has the capability to offer a full suite of video services in the future - to residence and business customers here.

Verizon currently is constructing FTTP networks in more than half the states where it offers landline communications services, including New Hampshire. To date, Verizon has announced it is building its FTTP network in some 17 communities in New Hampshire: Bedford, Epping, Salem, Derry, Hampton, Hudson, Londonderry, Windham, Portsmouth, Nashua, New Castle, Newington, Greenland, Exeter, Stratham, Plaistow and Newton.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime transformation of the communications network serving this community," said Polly Brown, Verizon regional vice president for northern New England.

The company will seek a franchise agreement from the local authority before offering video service in a selected community.

Known as fiber to the premises, or FTTP, the fiber-optic network uses hair-thin strands of fiber and optical electronics to directly link homes and businesses to Verizon's network. The new network will unleash a range of advanced communications services.

"We are building the communications network of the future to provide customers unmatched network reliability, incredible speed and exciting new options for voice, data and video connections," said Brown. "Our FTTP project will help stimulate economic development and enhance Atkinson as a great place to live and do business."

Although the use of fiber optics is common for long-distance and inter-city communications throughout the telecommunications industry, Verizon is one of the first major telecom companies to begin using it to directly connect homes and businesses to the network on a widespread scale.

To help build the network across the country, Verizon has hired between 3,000 and 5,000 new employees in the past year.

"Verizon's fully fiber-optic network is technically superior to other communication platforms because it offers faster data speeds than currently available, as well as voice and video capability," said Cheryl Mongell, Verizon vice president region operations for New England.

Customer reaction to Verizon's new fiber-based Internet access service, called FiOS (FYE'-ose), has been very positive, with broadband subscribers more than doubling in the company's inaugural FiOS market of Keller, Texas, just outside Dallas/Fort Worth. FiOS Internet access services are already available in the New Hampshire communities of Bedford, Epping, Newton, Plaistow, Portsmouth, Salem and Windham. Verizon will notify customers when FiOS is available in Atkinson. Customers who want to determine whether they can order FiOS also can call 888-GET FIOS (888-438-3467) or visit Verizon's FiOS Web site at www.verizon.net/Fios.

"FiOS has been an extraordinary hit with our first customers. People are literally lining up to get what they know is a fantastic service at an excellent price," said Mongell. "This is the most significant transformation of the network that I have witnessed during my career at Verizon."

There are three tiers of Verizon FiOS Internet Service for consumers, with downstream (download) speeds of up to 5, 15 and 30 Mbps (megabits per second).*

5 Mbps (megabits per second) downstream and 2 Mbps upstream. Suited for Internet surfing and basic computer functions. $34.95 a month as part of a calling package, or $39.95 a month stand-alone.

15 Mbps downstream and 2 Mbps upstream. Appealing to families that have multiple computers and various needs such as media downloads and the ability to access or share large files. $44.95 a month as part of a calling package, or $49.95 a month stand-alone.

30 Mbps downstream and 5 Mbps upstream. Designed for communications-intensive power users with significant bandwidth needs, such as telecommuters or work-at-home households and avid online gamers. $179.95 a month as part of a calling package, or $199.95 a month stand-alone.

The FTTP initiative represents a natural extension of the more than 10 million miles of fiber-optic cable Verizon already has in place and extends the high capacity, speed and quality of fiber directly to the customer's doorstep. With FTTP technology, Verizon can easily add more capacity, higher speeds or video services in the future.

Verizon's digital subscriber line (DSL) service will remain the company's most widely available form of high-speed Internet access for the foreseeable future while the company ramps up FTTP deployment. The company offers DSL on a widespread basis throughout New Hampshire.

*NOTE: Actual (throughput) speeds will vary.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), a Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and other communication innovations to wireline and wireless customers. Verizon operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 51.3 million customers nationwide; one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks; and one of the nation's premier wireline networks, serving home, business and wholesale customers. Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of approximately 250,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $90 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.